Ten rooms on a new sailing boat

The Nour El Din is a dahabiya launched in 2023: 45 metres long, three decks, eight cabins and two suites, and never more than twenty guests. It sails the river between Luxor and Aswan at a sailing boat’s pace, with solar power on board, and moors at islands and village landings that the cruise ships pass by.

Written by Mo Adam, licensed Egyptologist guide since 2011. Updated 17 October 2026.

8 cabins, 2 suitesTwenty guests at most, eleven crew

Launched 202345 by 8 metres, three decks, solar power

Full boardEvery meal on board

Licensed Egyptologist guideLuxor’s East and West Banks and every visit on the route

Cabins and suites

Eight panoramic cabins at the waterline on the main deck, and two panoramic suites on the upper deck with wider windows and a private seating area. Every room has a private bathroom and air conditioning, and the cabins have high speed internet.

Panoramic cabinDouble bed and a panoramic window at the waterline.

Twin cabinTwo single beds and the same panoramic window.

BathroomA private bathroom in every cabin and suite.

What is included and what is not

Included

Cabin on full board

A full day on the East and West Banks of Luxor with a licensed Egyptologist guide

The visits on the sailing route

Entrance fees on the route

Private transfers

Not included

International flights and Egyptian entry visa

Drinks

Aswan sightseeing (optional)

Tipping

Optional excursions

Arranged on request and paid separately.

The Unfinished ObeliskAswan, before boarding or after check-out

Philae TempleAswan, before boarding or after check-out

Abu Simbel from AswanLeaves around 4:30 am

Hot air balloon over LuxorLifts off around 4:30 am

Booking and cancellation

Prices on this boat are on request. Tell us your dates and we quote in US dollars, per person, for the whole cruise, not per night. A cabin sleeps two.

Deposit and payment

25%deposit

A 25 percent deposit confirms your booking. The balance is paid on arrival, by bank transfer or in cash. Cards are accepted, with a 3 percent surcharge.

Children

Under 6Free

6 to 11Half the adult fare

12 and overFull adult fare

A child travelling free shares the parents’ cabin and does not get a separate bed. Tell us the ages when you enquire and we will price it exactly.

Cancellation

If you cancel	Charge
60 days or more before sailing	No charge
59 to 30 days before	25% of the total
29 to 15 days before	50% of the total
14 to 7 days before	75% of the total
Less than 7 days, or no show	100% of the total

If your plans change you can move your dates instead, free of charge more than 30 days before sailing and subject to availability. Peak travel periods can carry different terms, and your booking confirmation states which apply. If the trip cannot run for reasons beyond anyone’s control, such as a strike, an epidemic or a sudden change in the law, no cancellation fee applies.

PriceOn requestper person

WhatsApp Get a quote

Photos

Day by day itinerary

Choose your cruise

3 nightsAswan to Luxor, every Friday4 nightsLuxor to Aswan, every Monday

Day 1Aswan, sailing to Daraw

Optional before boarding: Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk or Abu Simbel.
2 pm: board the Nour El Din and settle into your cabin.
An afternoon sail to State Island, near Daraw.
Dinner and overnight moored at State Island.

Boarding 2 pmFirst sailDinner

Day 2Daraw, Kom Ombo and the islands

9 am: a visit to the market town of Daraw.
A short drive to Kom Ombo, where the dahabiya is waiting.
An afternoon sail past Gebel El Silsila and Bisaw Island.
An evening island party on El Ramady Island, and the night moored there.

DarawGebel El SilsilaIsland partyAll meals

Day 3Edfu and El Adhaima Island

6 am: sailing toward Edfu while you wake.
1 pm: the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best preserved temples in Egypt.
An afternoon sail to El Adhaima Island and a quiet evening on board.

Edfu TempleAll meals

Day 4Esna, then a full day in Luxor

6 am: the last morning sail, arriving in Esna at 8 am.
Breakfast, then check out at 9 am.
Private transfer to Luxor for a full day on both banks.
The West Bank: the Valley of the Kings with three tombs, the temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
The East Bank: Karnak, then Luxor Temple.
Transfer to Luxor airport or your hotel. End of our services.

Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)HatshepsutColossi of MemnonKarnakLuxor TempleTransfer included

Day 1Luxor, both banks, then Esna and the first sail

We meet you on arrival in Luxor. Landing early in the morning gives you the whole day.
The West Bank: the Valley of the Kings with three tombs, the temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
The East Bank: Karnak, then Luxor Temple.
Private transfer to Esna, then board the Nour El Din and settle into your cabin.
The dahabiya sets sail south. Dinner and overnight moored at El Hegaz.

Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)HatshepsutColossi of MemnonKarnakLuxor Temple

Day 2El Kab, Edfu and El Ramady Island

7 am: El Kab, an ancient town site with tombs cut into the hillside.
Breakfast on board.
1 pm: sail on to Edfu and the Temple of Horus, one of the best preserved temples in Egypt.
An afternoon island party on El Ramady Island, and the night moored there.

El KabEdfu TempleIsland partyAll meals

Day 3Bisaw Island, Gebel El Silsila and Maniha Island

Breakfast, then 8 am: a walk on Bisaw Island.
Sailing to Gebel El Silsila, the ancient sandstone quarries where the river narrows.
A swimming stop at Gebel Abu Shehab.
Dinner and overnight moored at Maniha Island.

Bisaw IslandGebel El SilsilaSwimming stopAll meals

Day 4Kom Ombo, Daraw and Aswan

7 am: Kom Ombo, the temple shared by Sobek the crocodile god and Horus.
9:30 am: back on board, sailing on past Daraw.
A swimming stop at Herbiab Island.
Arrival in Aswan for the last night on board.

Kom OmboSwimming stopAll meals

Day 5Aswan, departure

Breakfast, then check out at 9 am.
Optional: Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk or Abu Simbel.
Private transfer to Aswan airport or your hotel. End of our services.

BreakfastTransfer included

Mooring points and the order of stops can change with the wind and the river; that is part of sailing. The sights of Aswan, such as Philae, are not part of this boat’s programme and can be added as optional tours.

Common questions

What is a dahabiya, and how is it different from a cruise ship?

A dahabiya is a sailing boat. The Nour El Din carries twenty guests at most, where a cruise ship carries well over a hundred, and it moors at islands and village landings that the larger boats pass by.

How many nights does the Nour El Din sail?

Three nights from Aswan to Luxor, boarding every Friday. Four nights from Luxor to Aswan, leaving every Monday. The whole boat can also be chartered for up to twenty guests.

Which temples are included?

On the four night cruise: a full day in Luxor on arrival, with the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak and Luxor Temple, then El Kab, Edfu and Kom Ombo on the sailing route. On the three night cruise: Edfu on the way, and the same full day in Luxor after you leave the boat at Esna. The sights of Aswan, such as Philae, can be added as optional tours.

Is the price per person or per cabin?

Prices on this boat are on request. We quote per person, based on two people sharing a cabin, for the whole cruise, once we know your dates and whether you want a cabin or a suite.

What is included in the price?

Your cabin on full board, a full day on both banks of Luxor and the visits on the sailing route with a licensed Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, and private transfers. Drinks, tipping and optional tours are extra.

How do I pay?

A 25 percent deposit confirms the booking. The balance is paid on arrival, by bank transfer or in cash. Cards are accepted, with a 3 percent surcharge.

Nour El Din Dahabiya

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